Objectives:
Although the multifactorial nature of chronic pain is well established, research has predominantly examined isolated variables or singular pathways that may contribute to this condition. We use a complex systems perspective to examine the interplay of psychological factors in the context of chronic pain.

Methods:
We analyzed 2 cross-sectional data sets (N=935 and 1366) collected at a pain clinic and rehabilitation center in Belgium from individuals primarily with musculoskeletal pain. These included self-reported data on pain-related fear and avoidance beliefs, depression and anxiety symptoms, pain intensity, and disability. We used Gaussian Graphical Models to examine conditional associations between these variables, their relative importance (having more/stronger relationships), and how they are moderated by pain-related fear and pain intensity.

Results:
Our analyses revealed highly interrelated networks, with several unique, positive associations between the included factors. Depressive symptoms and pain intensity were most strongly related to pain disability. Fear-avoidance beliefs featured less prominently than previous studies looking at this concept in isolation have suggested. Apart from differences in 2 associations between samples, and 2 moderation effects of pain intensity in 1 sample, the network structure was similar across the 2 samples.

Discussion:
Overall, our results show that psychological factors related to disability have intricate interrelations, highlighting the complexity of chronic pain and the need to study its many components in relation to each other. The consistency across the 2 samples provides encouraging evidence that the results reflect a stable pattern within this complex system.

Refurbishment can extend the lifetime of an electronic product and reduce its environmental footprint. However, consumers often perceive refurbished electronics as less attractive than new ones, resulting in lower purchase intentions. While prior research has identified several factors that influence consumer choices regarding refurbished electronics, we lack understanding of the interrelations between the different factors related to the consumer, product and context. To model the complex interplay of the factors involved in the intention to purchase refurbished speakers and earbuds, we conducted a survey with 1801 participants. A network encompassing both product categories revealed that the most central factors influencing the intention to purchase refurbished electronics were the product category, the perceived risk and the perception that refurbished electronics are uncomfortable to use because they remind the consumer of their prior user (territorial contamination). For refurbished earbuds, participants' concerns about territorial and hygienic contamination had the strongest negative relations to purchase intentions. For refurbished speakers, the purchase intentions were most negatively related to their perceived risk and positively related to their financial attractiveness. Hence, strategies aiming to enhance the consumer acceptance of refurbished electronics should aim at reducing risks and contamination concerns. Potential strategies to reduce the risks associated with refurbished electronics are discussed.